Stealing Spree

Upon arriving at the gym, we were greeted by a rather unbelievable bustling scene.

Lined up right in front of the reception desk which Coach Ayu was manning at the moment was a group of mothers along with their sons or daughters, inquiring about the Basics of Boxing Program. My own training program.

I stared at their backs and even though I couldn’t see their faces yet, all of them were new faces. Furthermore, based on their attire, they’re part of Ichihara-san and the other mothers’ group.

A few seconds later, I heard the one at the foremost loudly inquiring about the program from Coach Ayu.

“What are you saying there’s no slot left? Can’t you expand it? We are here to enroll our sons and daughters. I heard the Instructor you assigned is really great. We’ll be greatly disappointed if this turns out to be a wasted trip.”

I see. So that’s the situation.

Last Sunday, all of the sixty slots for my program were filled up. And that’s a day when my girls chose not to come. And from that mother’s word, it means today’s going to be another full house. Even if the mothers wouldn’t enroll just counting the children with them, they’re close to one-third of the maximum slots.

“My deepest apologies. With our humble gym, that program can only contain a limited number of slots. That way, the Instructor will have sufficient time and attention for everyone. The program will only last for ten lessons. If you can wait until the current program finishes all of the ten lessons, I will be happy to make reservations for you.” Coach Ayu explained. However, it was still met by the mothers’ complaints.

Now I feel a little bad for Coach Ayu. Dealing with this kind of situation must be a first for her. At the moment, she hadn’t seen me or us yet. It’s crowded enough that even the door leading inside was blocked by the children who were trying to look inside through the gaps. Perhaps wondering what’s happening inside the boxing gym.

In any case, considering I couldn’t find any familiar faces among that crowd, Coach Ayu probably let those enrollees that already attended the previous lessons inside.

In line with that, it looks like I made a blunder again. Although Akane and the other girls were wryly smiling, they were also amazed by what they heard and at the sight in front of them.

“Husband, with these many enrollees, I think it’s best that we don’t take up the slots you can earn from.” Akane’s voice reached my ears amidst the rather loud clamor being made by those mothers that were pestering the troubled Coach Ayu.

It’s soft enough that only those in our group could hear.

“Uhm… I agree. I think most of us here have the lesson as a secondary reason. Our primary reason is to see this popular guy.” Miho, who’s standing at my side, added as she squeezed my shoulder.

And agreeing to her words, almost all of them nodded their heads with the exception of Miyako, Eimi and Yukari. But a few seconds later, they also followed suit.

“If that’s what you then I understand. But since it’s partly my fault to forget that the program already took off in popularity, I’ll think of a way to let you all in.”

Since they’re already here, I would definitely feel bad to chase them away. Besides, I worried about them running into those thugs or whoever would try to hit on them. Even though they could definitely protect themselves, that’s still the kind of trouble that I didn’t want them to be in.

Before I could even start thinking of a way, Sena’s pretty face popped in front of me. Her lips stretched into a confident smile as she declared. “Leave it to me, Ruki. They’re my schoolmates. They can join me in my training.”

“You’re the one that will get in trouble instead… Ah. Wait, instead of paying for the lesson, register as a member of the gym.”

It’s a little pricey compared to just that specific one but that way, there wouldn’t be any trouble for them to enter.

Upon hearing that, Sena pouted. Apparently, she’s going to suggest it but I beat her to it.

Seeing her doing that, the other girls laughed at how cute she appeared. Despite her sharp gait as a boxer, that contrast in her personality was extremely adorable.

In any case, with the clear melodic laughter from them, we finally caught the attention of those at the front.

The crowd of mothers who turned around to look at us coincidentally opened a path that revealed the troubled Coach Ayu behind the desk.

And upon seeing me, her eyes brightened as a mischievous and relieved expression lined her face. She stood up and pointed at me.

“Oh! Onoda-sensei, can you come here and explain the situation to me? See these ladies? They and their children are all potential enrollees for your program.”

Hearing that, the mothers, who were just curious at the sound of laughter behind them, energetically pointed their attention to me. And soon after, they began whispering to each other. Commenting on my appearance, my posture and everything they observed.

In any case, even if I heard some negative comments from them, I quickly put on the act that I was using as an Instructor. I humbly lowered my head before walking toward Coach Ayu.

Sena, Akane and the others didn’t follow me but they all went to the side to watch what was going to happen. Judging from the brilliance in their eyes, they’re all anticipating how I would act as Instructor Ruki.

Really, this was probably entertaining for them.

Anyway, since I was already outed by Coach Ayu and I still feel bad to let her deal with them, my mind was already running, thinking about how to send them home without being disappointed.

“As Coach Ayu here stated, I’m afraid I cannot accept more enrollees for the current program.” Starting with that while also pointing at the plastered information board on the wall behind us. There, the information about my program was written in large font and it clearly stated that the maximum number of slots is sixty. Moreover, there’s also a notice that if ever the slot got filled up, they could either wait for a slot to open or for the program to restart.

I bet they already read that. They just didn’t want to acknowledge it. Even if not all of them were thinking of forcing themselves in, the loud ones completely influenced them to stand in front and complain.

By pointing it out this time, the mother at the forefront, or the loudest one among them, furrowed her eyebrows and stared at me. I thought she was going to refute my words. However, a few seconds later, she closed her eyes and gulped down.

Seeing that, I heard Coach Ayu gasping in surprise. She’s surprised at what happened.

I mean, I was surprised too. What happened to her that changed her mind? I even readied myself to rebut her civilly.

Perhaps I looked intimidating? No… If that’s the case, she’d be scared.

Uh… In any case, that’s the loudest one down.

Switching my gaze to the next one, she clamped her lips and waved her hand. And the same thing happened to the subsequent mothers that I focused my eyes on.

In the end, it was a mother who looked like a gentle and kind one who spoke for them. “We understand. We’ll be putting on reservations for the next one. Can sensei make sure that we’ll get the slots?”

Well, that’s how reservation works, right?

I stopped myself from rebutting like that. Instead, I flashed a smile and nodded. “Absolutely! It’s my honor to have this humble gym and my program chosen by you, madams. I will be looking forward to it. In the meantime, I will be doing my best to make all of the current enrollees satisfied with my lessons. That way, you won’t have to change your mind when the time comes.”

Taking in my words, starting from that gentle and kind lady, everyone nodded and accepted my words. And that mother at the forefront faked a cough and said in a slightly condescending tone, “You better live up to your reputation, sensei. Or we will be thoroughly disappointed.”

With that, the situation was somehow resolved and I passed the baton back to Coach Ayu who received their details and recorded it.

Even though it’s only been two weeks or four lessons, to be exact, to have these many interested enrollees, I couldn’t help but think that I really have what it takes to be in the profession of teaching.

However, I still had to try the other paths before concluding my choices.